This is my first post. I am a novice to woodworking. I have played around for many years with hand tools and some basic portable power tools. I am now retired and want to set up a hobby shop. I need advice on just about everything. My interest is mostly in small wood projects: jewelery boxes, small tables, small household projects, etc. I am also very interested in working with exotic (hard) woods. I have garage space of about 15 x 25 feet that I can fill with whatever is needed. What reference books are good, what portable and fixed tools are needed, what hand tools, ???? I can afford, and prefer, to buy high quality tools. I want good tools that will last and provide satisfaction. Any help will be appreciated.
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Replies
Your question is really too broad. You need to be a bit more focused as far as addressing one question at a time.
You need to ask yourself a few questions to start:
- How do I like to work? As in what balance will you strike between hand and power tools in your shop?
- Will you be buying rough stock and milling it yourself or instead using S2S or better?
- Where do your interests and skills lie as far as the types of projects you are interested in? This will dictate what tools you will need.
Welcome to Knots!
Welcome to the Knots. Your questions are the same one's that almost every new woodworker has. Unfortunately, there is no perfect answer, or answers, to the questions.
It sounds like you at least know what type of woodworking you wish to do. My recommendation to you would be to acquire tools as you need them. You need to decide if you're going to work with hand tools, power tools, or a combination of the two.
Your first, and most important tool in the shop, in my opinion, should be your workbench. I spend most of the time in my shop working at my bench. Forget trying to figure out exactly what type of bench, as there are many. But, you will need something that is flat, sturdy, and has a vise or two for holding the pieces you are working on. Once you have your workbench, decide what you are going to build for your first project. That project will decide for you what tools you need. Get what you need, as you need it.
As you discover a need for a certain tool, you can always come back here and ask more specific questions regarding tool selection, quality brands, etc....
This should get you started. Have fun, and work safely.
Walnutz
When I started working wood I had no power tools and did everything by hand, (I was broke..). But it was the best way to start, being able to flatten a board and cut dovetails
by hand made the process easier to understand when I moved to power tools. That being said, do not get caught up in the gadget thing and learn to sharpen your tools without a bunch of fancy jigs, (get a cheap grinder and a good oil stone). Keep it basic and simple and add tools when you need them, not when the glossy picture looks good. Oh yeah, get lots of clamps.
I think the best way to go about this is to start by picking a project and then figuring out what tools you need to build it.
I would concentrate at first on developing some skill with hand tools -- even those who plug in regularly use hand tools from time to time, and it helps you get a better feel for how things work. (Tho' some would disagree, I'm sure.) I've never met someone who could make a nice piece with handtools, but not be able to do a good job with power tools. On the other hand, I have met lots of folks who can make a nice piece with power tools, but not hand tools.
And, since you're retired, you don't need to worry about putting in a little extra time on the projects.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Take a course at a community college art/craft school. You'll learn a lot, and it is more efficient than trial and error. Do a few projects this way, and you'll know what tools you need/want.
Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
I am looking into taking couyrses however where I live (way up in the mountains) my opportunities are very limited. The nearest high school, 45 minutes away, offers a night class in woodworking once a year starting in October. The nearest community college, 1 hour away, has limited listings. I am still looking.
There are alternatives to exotic hard woods you should check-out. And read-up on tropical rain-forest destruction (where else do you find exotic hard woods?) and consequences for climate change, ie., global warming. Don't forget, we share the same world.
Many so-called "fine" woodworkers have a stinky reputation in this regard and, as a newbie to the craft, there is no need for you to follow unlearned, uncaring wood butchers, no matter how fine their techniques or expensive end-products, or galleries and magazines in which they appear.
Regarding your other concerns, why don't you do a little homework, buy some tools and learn to use them? That is the how to find your way. You should not expect your answers to this forum to do that for you.
Best wishes -- aristata
Sierramtns - Even though you can afford to go out right now and buy the best of what you think you need, my advice would be to hold off until you KNOW you need it. One of the paths some new woodworkers take is to immediately fill their shops with everything and to make it all top of the line. Often woodworkers like me find terrific bargains when those people move on or at the least have bought things they just don't need.
Every woodworker has a type of woodworking they love and an opinion of the most important tool in the shop. The previous responses were trying to tell you that listening to everyone will result in you buying every tool there is.
Most folks, including me, would tell you that a tablesaw is a must for any woodworker to have and feel that it's a pretty safe recommendation. But when you said you were interested in mostly small wood projects I'm not sure I could even tell you that. You could do very nicely with only hand tools and a few power tools. Your main saw could be a compound miter saw or it could be a japanese hand saw. Everything in woodworking depends on which way your soul wants to go.
This forum has a lot of good info...how to set up a shop, opinions of which tools are good, what types of finishes to use and when. I suggest poking around this site extensively...you'll find a lot, and it'll probably prompt more questions that any of us will be more than happy to try to answer.
charlie -- "Count your blessings....it could always be worse!"
My web site is built around your kind of questions. Take a look at that (link below). Also, be sure to make use of forums like this one as there is a ton of experience floating around them that can be a huge help when you run into something you don't understand yet. Chances are there is someone on the forum who used to not understand that either and is willing to share their learning experience!
http://www.newwoodworker.com/
Have fun but always be safe first!
Tom Hintz
Because there is always more to learn!
S,
Have a look at this previous thread concerning your question (or rather, one like it):
http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=29329.1
Just to give a different perspective: I'd say start with power tools (successful projects will come relatively easy and quick) then get some handtools too, when you are thus motivated to perservere and learn how to use them well. Also, this will give you a chance to evaluate the many high quality handtools now in the market.
Handtools are good for many reasons but (with some exceptions) they take longer to do something and require more effort to learn to use well. However, if you want that pukka hand-made look, pride in having traditional skills and a quiet workshop then handtools are needed.......
Also, get the best tools you care to pay for but beware the law of diminishing returns.
I try never to buy a tool until there is a real project in front of me that will require those tools. Read the many reviews of tools first; the Internet is great for that - generally more trustworthy than magazines (albeit Taunton do have a reputation for not pulling punches if they spot a bad 'un)
As to exotics timbers: don't buy them, salvage them if you can. You will be amazed at what folk throw out merely because it is old. I have recycled all sorts of beautiful wood that was otherwise headed for bonfire or landfill; including some that are now very hard to buy (eg Brazilian rosewood, afromosia).
Lataxe
I've gotten some very good responses here. I do plan to read/learn more before I start buying very much. I do have some hand tools and portable type power tools that I use for my current efforts. I guess my next step is to subscribe to the Fine Wood Working magazine and order some woodworking books from Amazon.com. Apart from that I have been spending many hours per day on the web trying to find out as much as I can. I have always liked working with wood and now I can indulge myself with time in my "future" workshop. Also we get a lot of snow here and I would rather be workshopbound than cabinbound.
You might also consider some DVDs... Rob Cosman, Chris Schwartz and David Charlesworth all have some nice titles at modest prices on the LN website (http://www.lie-nielsen.com/catalog.php?grp=1320) or on Amazon. I still advise taking a course if you can get to it... you'll learn more, faster.Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Sierramtns,
Can't tell where you are from but somewhere in the Sierras. That's a lot of ground!
Have you looked to see if there are any local woodworkers/hobbyists in your area? If you can find one they could be a source of great info. There may even be some folks in here local to you. A visit to some woodshops is an invaluable experience.
As previously said, don't jump into tools to fill the garage. From you original post it appears that you've decided on some initial projects but that may not last forever. You may find your interests may change so take the time for the tool decisions.
Besides, the research can also be a lot of fun/challenge too. The main thing is to enjoy your journey, the rest will fall into place.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
If you draw a line between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite Nat Park I am at the halfway point between the two places. There is at least one commercial cabinet maker in the nearest town. I plan on talking with him and getting as much advice as he is interested in giving. I am doing a lot of internet reading and have just bought 8 woodworking magazines. I am looking for titles of some good reference, how to, what to, etc. books that I can buy from Amazon. I won't be buying any major tools/machines until around June of 2008. I will be away from home between Feb and June. However I will still have access to the internet while I am away. So I figure that by June I should have enough knowledge to begin buying what I feel is needed. It also gives me time to plan my garage workspace. I realize that my interests may/probably will change. Therefore I don't plan to acquire expensive narrowly specialized machines. I am getting the sense that there are a half a dozen or so major tools and machines that are considered most useful: work table, tablesaw, router/table, jointer/planner, bandsaw. I am obviously still in the beginning learn, learn, learn stage. I will also have to give serious thought on insulation and heating. Right now it is snowing and while the garage (under the house) is quite a bit warmer than outdoors, it is still not comfortable for a several hour work session.
Sierra,
I am obviously still in the beginning learn, learn, learn stage.
From my experience I have never graduated from the learn, learn, learn stage! I doubt that anyone really has either.
I admire your conviction and patience, both good attributes for working wood, I think.......
Anyway, another good source of info. is your local library. In NH where I am they have an exchange program whereby if the local library doesn't have the book I'm looking, for they contact all the other libraries in the state to see if another library might have it.
I have used the Inet for many years now and it is a great source as well. Separating the wheat from the chaff can be a challenge at times.
I wish you weel in your journey and if you have ½ as much fun as I have had over the 35+ years you will be happy with your decision to pursue fine woodworking.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 12/27/2007 8:49 am ET by KiddervilleAcres
Sierra:
OK, here's my $.02. When I inherited a garage full of WW tools from my father-in-law, I read someplace (maybe that newwoodworker site, I dunno) that a great way to practice your developing skills is to build shop fixtures. So I got Norm's (Abrams, I'm sure you've seen his name in your internet travels) plans for the workshop hutch, workbench, etc. and went to town. Didn't matter if they weren't perfect, they were in the garage, where the cars used to live. Router table, scrap bins, mobil tool stands, drill press cabinet, assembly table etc quickly followed, each getting successively better. My theory, as a self taught wood worker, is to make as many mistakes as possible and learn from all of them.
Then my wife asks me "Why don't you build me a vanity table for the bedroom?". My first reaction was "You gotta be kidding, I'm still learning this stuff" but then plowed ahead, copying a design I saw in a catalogue somewhere. Turned out pretty well and she uses it every day.
It's a journey. Enjoy the trip. By the way Highway 108, the Sonora Pass is my favorite motorcycle route. You're lucky to leave in those mountains.
Dennis
I've been thinking pretty much the same thing about learning. I am planning to build a router table, tool storage, etc first. Then I want to graduate to a good workbench. After that who knows. My wife, daughters, sister-in-law all want some sort of pretty jewelry boxes and, and, and. My wife is already talking about some nicer kitchen cabinets, and I have not yet bought any equipment or built anything. Well I have built a number of things over the years but always with hand tools only.
Well highway 108 is indeed beautifull. I actually live off of highway 4, the next road north of 108. I do a lot of camping in the areas of highways 88, 4 and 108. The high elevations, near the passes. on both 4 and 108 are now closed for the winter.
Leavitt Meadows is my home away from home, at least in the summer time. Ebbetts pass, Monitor Pass, Luther pass. Great roads to ride as long as you're on two wheels with a motor. No "Death Rides" for me!
It's a journey. WELL SAID!Even if the ship sinks at least you still have a wooden lifeboat to get you to the next project!
You have gotten a lot of good, and detailed responses here! Nice thread.
I'll offer that you should pay particular attention to learning the skills involved with milling your materials. Successful joinery can only be accomplished if you have milled your stock so that you have flat faces that are parallel to each other and true edges.
No matter how you get your material (rough, surfaced-two-sides (S2S) or S4S, it will need to be milled using a combination of a jointer, a surface planer and a table saw. These are the workhorse machines in your shop. Once that material is thicknessed and jointed, it can be ripped on the table saw (with a fence) or crosscut on the table saw (with a miter gauge or sled.)
A lot of beginners think that buying S4S material at a home center or woodworking retailer can save them the milling step. It speeds it up, but does not eliminate it. Though each individual board may look great, their dimensions will vary slightly. As you begin to join them you will find these slight differences show up in your joints... except they don't seem so slight anymore!
For example: if you walk in and buy four oak boards S4S from a home center and try to glue them up into a panel, you will find that the edges are not sufficiently true for glue up - they will still need a pass over the jointer. You will find that the thicknesses vary and that your glue joints will not be even. Ideally you would have realized this and thicknessed them with your planer before glue up. If you didn't, get out the hand planes and the sander and prepare to work hard at leveling that panel.
It's easy to get excited about the construction, the shaping, routing, joining, finishing parts of the job. However, none of this work will ever be "fine" unless you start with a good foundation in milling your materials.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
My .02 cents.
Go find a project that inspires you (look in books and/or on-line for projects with instructions and plans), get the basic tools required, don't go crazy just yet; get good tools that will last not ones that require replacement later [read cheap] because they perform poorly; learn about safety; have fun stay safe and create great things that impress yourself.
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